Hamilton crash to heavy opening day defeat at Ross County

Ross County players celebrate a 2-0 lead at half time after goals from Joe Chalmers and Billy McKay (Image: Ross Parker/SNS Group)

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Hamilton fell to a heavy opening day defeat to Premiership newcomers Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.

First-half goals from Joe Chalmers and Billy McKay had the Staggies home and dry by the interval, and that was added to in the second half by a strike by Ross Stewart.

It was no more than County deserved, who were the better team throughout.

Ross County co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell made three changes to the side that beat Forar in the Betfred Cup, with Joe Chalmers, Josh Mullin and Stewart in for Harry Paton, Blair Spittal and Brian Graham.

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice also made three changes, with Alex Gogic, Johnny Hunt and George Oakley coming in for Shaun Want, Reegan Mimnaugh and Lewis Smith.

After Ross County had unfurled the Championship flag, the opening exchanges were blood-and-thunder, but without much actually happening.

Hamilton captain Darian MacKinnon was harshly booked in the opening minute when a shot was driven at him and struck him on the hand just outside the box, but the free kick ultimately came to nothing.

Accies were dealt a further blow in 16 minutes when Ciaran McKenna was forced off with an injury, Markus Fjortoft was his replacement, making his league debut.

It took until the 29th minute for a chance of note, and when it did come it was County; Stewart picked out Joe Chalmers, but he curled his shot round the left post from distance.

Accies didn't learn from that, and when Billy McKay gave Chalmers another go, this time he found the bottom left corner, to put County 1-0 up.

McKay got in on the act six minutes later, when a simple move down the right resulted in the striker sliding in Stewart's cut-back to double County's lead.

Hamilton tried to get back into the game and in 39 minutes Oakley sent Marios Ogkmpoe through on goal, but keeper Ross Laidlaw raced off his line to clear.

Four minutes later Scott McMann let fly with a drive from about 25 yards, but it flew past the left post.

County could have added to their lead late in the first half, when Liam Fontaine tried an audacious lob from the left touch-line that Owain-Fon Williams did well to slap over.

Inside stoppage time, Josh Mullin tried his luck with a drive towards the right corner, but Fon-Williams punched it clear.

Hamilton were improved in the second half and Ross Cunningham went close in 48 minutes, weaving his way into the box before unleashing a stinging shot that Laidlaw had to slap past the right post. From the corner, Blair Alston tried his luck from 18 yards, but Laidlaw saved well.

Accies went on the attack again in 54 minutes when Cunningham saw a shot blocked and Ogkmpoe's follow-up was well held by Laiidlaw.

But County added their third in 57 minutes when Josh Mullin's free-kick from the left was headed in at the back post by Stewart. As simple as you would like.

Mullin went close to adding a fourth in 74 minutes, but his angled drive flashed wide of the left post.

Hamilton didn't really offer much after that, with both sides well aware that the game was won.

County could have added a fourth in 82 minutes when sub Spittal played the ball back to Mullin on the right, but his rocket shot flew past the top left corner.

County went close again in 83 minutes when sub Graham was sent through on goal and he scooped his shot over outrushing Fon-Williams, but also the bar.